It just may be possible. If you have an old AT&T TV device, also called an Osprey device or C71KW device, you may be able to use it as a Genie client. I had been told that it wasn’t possible for regular users to do it, but folks on the DIRECTV Community Forums, DBSTalk, and SatelliteGuys have posted instructions.
What’s this all about?
The device at the top is DIRECTV’s C71KW. It was originally designed to run the service known as AT&T TV at the time. (That service was later changed to be called DIRECTV for Internet.) The same hardware was then reconfigured to be used for DIRECTV Satellite, with it being called Gemini for Satellite.
The only difference between the streaming and satellite versions of this device are the app that is run when it starts. The box itself runs the Android TV operating system. When you start it up, it runs an app that makes it look like a regular Genie client. If you’re using the DIRECTV for Internet service, it runs a different app.
This would all be ok, but some users have reported that after they ordered a DIRECTV Gemini for Satellite, they got the Internet version instead. At that point, we had to process a return and send a new box.
This method seems to work to change an internet box into a satellite one. I’m going to post it just as it appeared on prominent user forums, with no warranty implied. There’s one typo which I will change, and I’ll note that.
Good evening everyone! After much research and struggle, I’ve finally been told of a way to get the Gemini C71KW-400 boxes for STREAM use to be used on satellite, perfectly fine. This method was originally told to me by user @Good4U on the DIRECTV Community Forums, so shoutout to him.
- FACTORY Reset your Gemini
Internet box by pressing the red reset button for 20 seconds.- When your Gemini with DIRECTV STREAM firmware is finished with this, it will boot up to where you press the ‘OK’ button followed by “BACKWARDS” and “FORWARD” BUTTONS. During this process, ensure that your Gemini is NOT plugged into ethernet (no internet connectivity at all).
- Once you get to the section where you put in your WiFi password, press 2326 on the remote. This should restart your Gemini with DIRECTV
STREAMSATELLITE firmware. (Correction made)- Once it is booted back up, follow the same remote pairing procedure as in the beginning of step 2. Then, instead of being greeted with the Internet WiFi settings, you should be brought to ‘ADD YOUR GEMINI’.
- You have officially converted your DIRECTV STREAM Gemini box to a DIRECTV SATELLITE Gemini receiver.
I am not aware on a way to convert a DIRECTV SATELLITE box to DIRECTV STREAM yet. So, if you follow this method, there is NO TURNING BACK!!
Thank you for reading this. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions below. Good luck!
Courtesy of Satellite Guys user detuch254
Does it work?
EDIT: Detuch254 tells me that they were able to change a device back to streaming by factory resetting it again (holding the reset button for 20 seconds.) However, you should be aware this may not work for you. Don’t try this if you’re not 100% sure you want a Gemini for Satellite.
Our team in Novi, Michigan has tested this method and it definitely works on the C71KW device. In order to do it, you’ll have to first reset the remote or else it won’t control the Gemini once it’s rebooted.
I have to stress that I make no promises that this will work for you. Hopefully we’ll see some comments below from people who did make it work for them.
Can you do this with a Gemini Air?
I really doubt it. I did try this with a current version Gemini Air and it didn’t work for me. That’s not to say it won’t work for you. It would be interesting to see if anyone out there could get it to work with a Gemini Air, since there are a lot of folks who would love to see a Gemini Air for DIRECTV Satellite.
Let’s see what happens
I have to say, this is the great thing about user communities. I’ve been part of various DIRECTV user communities for over 20 years now and I’ve found some genuinely helpful people over that time. Yes, I’ve found quite a few trolls too and some of them are quite harsh in the way they treat people. But most folks are genuinely trying to help.
OK internet community, leave a comment below! Let’s see how this works!
